Shot that killed Texas deputy came from own service weapon

The Associated Press

Published 11:05 am, Wednesday, August 3, 2016

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Law enforcement officers from multiple Central Texas agencies respond to reports of an officer down in Round Rock, Texas, last Monday. A Texas sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed at his home north of Austin before dawn on Monday in what authorities said appeared to be an attempted burglary.

Law enforcement officers from multiple Central Texas agencies respond to reports of an officer down in Round Rock, Texas, last Monday. A Texas sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed at his home north of Austin

ROUND ROCK — The shot that killed a Texas sheriff’s deputy at his home last week came from his own service weapon, authorities said Wednesday, but investigators have not yet determined whether he killed himself or whether someone took his gun and used it against him.

Round Rock police Chief Allen Banks held a brief news conference to discuss the ongoing investigation into Travis County Sgt. Craig Hutchinson’s death, which authorities had initially said happened during an apparent attempted burglary of the deputy’s backyard shed.

Hutchinson’s death prompted a flurry of speculation as it came amid the fatal shootings of five police officers in Dallas and the ambush and killing of three law enforcement officers in Louisiana.

Banks said Wednesday that investigators have not identified any suspects in Hutchinson’s death. He said they have processed more than 150 pieces of evidence, canvassed hundreds of homes and chased down more than 100 tips.

“I know most of you have questions today, but this is an ongoing and active investigation,” Banks said.

Authorities previously said Hutchinson, 54, used his police radio around 1:30 a.m. on July 25 to report people prowling behind his house. Investigators arriving moments later found the 32-year law enforcement veteran lying on the ground in his backyard in Round Rock, about 15 miles north of Austin.

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Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton said in the hours after the shooting that investigators believed items were taken from the shed and that Hutchinson may have “seen individuals in the shed, and I think that’s where the confrontation occurred.”

Hutchinson had planned to retire in September. His funeral was held Tuesday and drew thousands. Colleagues spoke of Hutchinson as a man of his word who tried to teach people.